permits. To host an event anywhere, you need to buy permits, pay for police, etc. even if its a low key thing. Getting these permits for state parks is notoriously hard. City parks, where they exist at a size to hold an event like this, can be hard too depending on the municipality, and federal land, don't even think about it. Your best bet for a low key race not affiliated with scholastics is on the grounds of a private school or university and these exist some places in the US. Otherwise just to hold a 200 person 5k you're doing months of work and having to charge upwards of 40$ for permits.

krgiop

RE: Why hasn't parkrun taken off in the US?2/27/2016 6:57AM - in reply to DisasterArtist

krgiop wrote:There is no shortage of races in the US. Too many if anything. That's why. Most weekends I could pick from a dozen or races within driving distance.

There's no shortage of overpriced races. There's a lack of well priced low key 5ks, mile races, half marathons, 10ks, etc... There's some low-key marathons, but who wants to do a marathon with zero support?

kimaniregistered

RE: Why hasn't parkrun taken off in the US?2/27/2016 4:50PM - in reply to DisasterArtist

I run to win, aka I race. Parkrun sounds like training, and recovery day training at that. Can't I call up ten people, and each can invite whomever they please, and we all meet at the local park at 10a.m. and go for a run? Is this different?

Brandingf

RE: Why hasn't parkrun taken off in the US?2/27/2016 5:29PM - in reply to DisasterArtist

I see that 5 cities are listed when registering under the US. Not near me, but I would definitely parkrun, at least monthly. It's a easy, cheap, nearby place to test out your skill without being too public.

Where do you draw the line between running clubs and parkrun?

Jack The Riddler

RE: Why hasn't parkrun taken off in the US?2/27/2016 8:14PM - in reply to Jon Orange